Swansea sign Valencia's Pablo Hernandez

Swansea City have signed Spain international winger Pablo Hernandez from Valencia in a club record £5.55 million deal.

Hernandez, 27, has signed a three-year contract with the Premier League club and said he was delighted to be joining Michael Laudrup's team.

"I'm very happy to become a Swansea City player,'' he told the club's official website. "It was my target as soon as I knew there was interest. There were offers from other clubs, but this was the only club I wanted to join.

"I want to thank the club and Michael Laudrup for making me feel like a very important player. Now I want to repay that faith on the football field. Swansea were a good side last year and look even better so far this season.

"I watched the game against West Ham on TV last week, and they played some good football. I also liked the atmosphere - the fans are good, and together with Michael Laudrup's presence it's an exciting package.''

Hernandez, who said Laudrup had been a hero when the Dane was in his playing pomp, worked with him during his time at Getafe and added: "I was a young player at Getafe and I learnt a lot from him. He gave me confidence and I have a lot to thank him for. Now I want to help him at Swansea because he was very important for my career.''

Laudrup said: "I managed Pablo in Getafe and he did fantastic for us. He has played a lot of games in the Champions League games in the last three seasons and made his debut in the national team. I am looking forward to working with him again - he is a good player with the right mentality.

"He specifically wanted to come here. The other players who have come here have come from smaller clubs, and here is a player from the third biggest club in Spain and he wants to come here. It is great for us."

It is the second time in just a few days that Swansea have broken the £5 million barrier, having paid a similar amount to bring South Korea international Ki Sung-Yeung from Celtic.